Our 2025 Hands-on Training Seminar will be Tuesday, Feb. 25 through Thursday, Feb. 27th
Pre-register now and save $50! Pre-registration discount ends February 11th.
Dear Colleague:
The ISDVMA and Iditarod Trail Committee are joining forces to present a training seminar from Tuesday, February 25, through Thursday, February 27, 2025, for individuals interested in sled dog medicine and preparing for race participation as trail veterinarians. This program has been developed in response to the increasing demand for greater expertise and involvement in competitive mushing events, of which the Iditarod Sled Dog Race is premier. Lectures relevant to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of conditions affecting sled dogs during training and racing, as well as participation in the Iditarod pre-race veterinary exams, are included in the program. In addition, preparation of veterinarians for working and living in remote checkpoints under potentially severe weather conditions will be emphasized.
Lectures on Tuesday and Thursday will be virtual*. Of course, the Vet Checks (hands-on canine exams) on Wednesday will be “real”.
The meeting will be based at the Lakefront Hotel. For those who are Iditarod 2025 staff veterinarians, rooms will be provided for you at the Lakefront Hotel by the Iditarod Trail Committee.
Veterinarians who are not staff members may contact the hotel for room reservations as follows: Lakefront Hotel, 4800 Spenard Road, Anchorage, AK 99517. Phone: 1-800-544-0553, Fax: 907-243-8815
Program Speakers
Greg Closter, DVM – Co-Chief Veterinarian, Iditarod; Anchorage, Alaska
Peter D. Constable, BVSc, MS, Phd – Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and American College of Veterinary Nutrition, MS and PhD in cardiovascular physiology and Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois.
Melissa l. Edwards, DVM, DACVECC – Diplomate American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care; Douglas, Alaska.
Lori E. Gordon, DVM – Owner, Veterinary Surgical Care, Inc.; Iditarod Returned Dog Vet team since 2013; Atkinson, NH.
Erika Friedrich, BVetMed, MRCVS – Co-Chief Veterinarian, Iditarod; Leesburg, Virginia.
Caroline H. Griffitts, DVM, DACVSMR, CVSMT – Diplomate American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation; Loveland, Colorado.
Dee Dee Jonrowe, BS – Veteran musher of long-distance sled dog races in North America and Europe, including 36 Iditarods; Recipient of exemplary dog care awards from all major races entered; Willow, Alaska.
Marianne Lian, DVM, MS, PhD – Director of Canine Drug Testing Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Associate Professor, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, and Affiliated Faculty Dept of Veterinary Medicine, University of Alaska, Fairbanks.
Jerome Vanek, DVM, MS, CCRT, CVC – Chief or trail veterinarian on over 130 races and 6 expeditions across 5 continents. His 50 year involvement with sled dogs has also included roles as musher, trail boss, race marshal, handler, author, editor, and ISDVMA founder and historian; Angus, Minnesota.
Program Schedule
TUESDAY – February 25, 2025
8:00 – 9:00 am – Greg Closter, Checkpoint Protocol: Preparing the Veterinarian for Trail Responsibilities
9:00 – 9:15am Break
9:15 – 10:15am – Jerome Vanek, Checkpoint Protocol: LAF-ing at a dog team – The Golden Triad; HAW/L-GEE/R diagnostic techniques in the checkpoint and along the trail; criteria for determining the fitness of a dog to continue in the race.
10:15 – 10:30am Break
10:30 – 11:30am – Lori Gordon, Checkpoint Protocol: Trail Medications
11:30am – 12:30pm Lunch
12:30 – 1:30pm – Erika L. Friedrich, Returned Dog Program and Protocols
1:30 – 1:45pm Break
1:45 – 2:45pm – Marianne Lian, Drug Testing Program: A Study in Chain of Custody and Laboratory Testing
2:45–3:00pm Break
3:00 –3:30pm – Caroline Griffitts, BCS evaluation of sled dogs
3:30 – 4:00pm – Jerome Vanek, Steppin’ Wolves – Common injuries and orthopedic problems in sled dogs; diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of foot, carpal, shoulder, spine, hock, stifle, and pelvic injuries in sled dogs.
4:00 – 4:15pm Break
4:15 – 5:15pm – Jerome Vanek, Common injures in Sled Dogs and treatment on the trail (continued)
WEDNESDAY – February 26, 2025
8:00am – 4:00pm Iditarod Pre-Race Veterinary Exams (Wasilla)
THURSDAY – February 27, 2025
8:00 – 9:00am – Peter D. Constable, Alaskan Sled Dogs and the Athlete’s Heart (Part 1)
9:00 – 9:15am Break
9:15 – 10:15am – Peter D. Constable, Alaskan Sled Dogs and the Athlete’s Heart (Part 2)
10:15 – 10:30am Break
10:30 – 11:30am – Peter D. Constable, Sled Dog Nutrition
11:30am – 12:30pm Lunch
12:30 – 1:30pm – Melissa L. Edwards, Emergency and Critical Care Topics (part 1)
1:30 – 1:45pm Break
1:45 – 2:45pm – Melissa L. Edwards, Emergency and Critical Care Topics (part 1)
2:45 – 3:00pm Break
3:00 – 4:00pm – Dee Dee Jonrowe, Sled Dog Kennel Management
4:00 – 4:15pm Break
4:15 – 5:15pm – Dee Dee Jonrowe, Training and Conditioning of the Sled Dog for Athletic Competition
Online Registration
Pre-registration is discounted until February 11th, 2025.
Use the downloadable form and follow the instructions on the form, or scroll down to complete your registration online today.
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS: 16.5 for full attendance*
Location: Lakefront Hotel, 4800 Spenard Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99517
*CE credits are 16.5 for full attendance including the Vet Checks, 14 Credits for virtual attendance (lectures only). Individual licensing authorities may require additional documentation such as registration receipts or other program information. This meeting is not RACE approved. Final determination of the acceptance of a program for CE accrual is the responsibility of the individual licensing authority. Contact your state veterinary board for CE requirements.
PayPal registration – to come. Please use downloadable form.
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